This Creamy Cheesy Ground Beef Taco Soup is a comforting, hearty dish packed with bold taco flavors, tender ground beef, creamy cheese, and a hint of spice. It’s the perfect one-pot meal for busy weeknights, game days, or when you’re craving a warm, filling bowl of deliciousness. Serve it with tortilla chips, avocado, or your favorite taco toppings for the ultimate Tex-Mex comfort food experience.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One-pot meal—easy to make and clean up
- Creamy, cheesy, and packed with bold taco flavors
- Hearty, filling, and perfect for cold-weather comfort food
- Customizable with your favorite toppings and spice level
- Great for meal prep and freezer-friendly
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Ground beef
- Onion, diced
- Garlic cloves, minced
- Taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- Beef broth
- Diced tomatoes (canned, with or without green chilies)
- Black beans or kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- Corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen)
- Cream cheese, softened
- Shredded cheddar cheese (or a Mexican cheese blend)
- Heavy cream or milk
- Olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional toppings: avocado slices, sour cream, tortilla chips, cilantro, jalapeños
Directions
- Cook the ground beef: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Add aromatics: Stir in diced onion and minced garlic. Cook until the onion softens, about 3-4 minutes.
- Season: Add taco seasoning and stir until the meat is fully coated in the spices.
- Add liquids and veggies: Pour in beef broth, diced tomatoes, beans, and corn. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle boil.
- Make it creamy: Lower the heat to a simmer. Stir in the cream cheese until fully melted, then add shredded cheese and heavy cream. Stir until smooth and creamy.
- Simmer: Let the soup cook for 10-15 minutes until thickened and heated through.
- Serve: Top with your favorite taco toppings like avocado, sour cream, and tortilla chips before serving.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 6
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 30 minutes
- Total time: 40 minutes
Variations
- Spicy Taco Soup: Add diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce for extra heat.
- Chicken Taco Soup: Swap ground beef for ground chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken.
- Low-Carb Option: Skip the beans and corn, and add extra vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini.
- Vegetarian Taco Soup: Use plant-based ground meat and vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
Storage/Reheating
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, or microwave for 1-2 minutes until warmed through.
- Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Yes, ground turkey is a leaner option and works well in this recipe.
How do I make this soup thicker?
Simmer the soup uncovered to reduce the liquid, or add more cream cheese for a thicker consistency.
Can I use pre-shredded cheese?
Yes, but freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly without added preservatives.
Is this soup gluten-free?
Yes, as long as you use gluten-free taco seasoning and check the labels of canned ingredients.
Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?
Yes, cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, adding the cream cheese and shredded cheese in the last 30 minutes.
What toppings go well with taco soup?
Tortilla chips, avocado, sour cream, jalapeños, shredded cheese, or chopped cilantro all make great toppings.
How spicy is this soup?
It’s mild as written but can be made spicier by adding extra chili powder, jalapeños, or hot sauce.
Can I make this soup dairy-free?
Yes, use dairy-free cream cheese, plant-based cheese, and a non-dairy milk alternative.
What sides pair well with taco soup?
Cornbread, a fresh green salad, or rice are great sides for this hearty soup.
Can I double the recipe for a crowd?
Yes, simply double all the ingredients and use a larger pot to accommodate the extra servings.
Conclusion
This Creamy Cheesy Ground Beef Taco Soup is the ultimate comfort food—rich, creamy, and packed with bold Tex-Mex flavors. It’s easy to make, perfect for meal prep, and endlessly customizable with your favorite toppings and add-ins. Whether you’re making it for a cozy family dinner or serving a crowd on game day, this soup is sure to become a go-to favorite!
PrintCreamy Cheesy Ground Beef Taco Soup Recipe
This Creamy Cheesy Ground Beef Taco Soup is rich, hearty, and packed with all your favorite Tex-Mex flavors. Made with seasoned ground beef, creamy cheese, and a blend of spices, this one-pot wonder is perfect for cozy nights, game-day gatherings, or meal prep. Serve it with tortilla chips, sour cream, and fresh cilantro for the ultimate comfort food experience!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish, Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex, American
Ingredients
- 500 g (1 lb) ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet (30 g) taco seasoning (or homemade)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional for extra depth)
- 1 can (400 g/14 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies (e.g., Rotel)
- 1 can (400 g/14 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup (150 g) corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen)
- 4 cups (1 liter) beef broth
- 1 block (225 g/8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 1 ½ cups (150 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream or half-and-half
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Toppings (Optional):
- Tortilla chips or strips
- Sour cream
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Sliced jalapeños
- Diced avocado
- Extra shredded cheese
Instructions
1. Cook the beef:
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.
- Drain any excess grease.
- Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté until the onion is soft (about 3-4 minutes).
2. Add spices and base ingredients:
- Stir in the taco seasoning and smoked paprika. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add diced tomatoes, black beans, corn, and beef broth. Stir to combine.
3. Simmer the soup:
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and let simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Make it creamy and cheesy:
- Stir in the softened cream cheese until fully melted and incorporated.
- Add the shredded cheddar cheese and heavy cream, stirring until smooth and creamy.
- Simmer for another 5 minutes, making sure everything is well combined and heated through.
5. Serve:
- Ladle the soup into bowls and top with tortilla chips, sour cream, cilantro, jalapeños, avocado, or extra cheese as desired.
Notes
- Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- Add more broth if you prefer a thinner soup.
- For extra heat, add a dash of hot sauce or a chopped chipotle pepper.